Cutter

ABSTRACT

A cutter adapted particularly for cutting paper stock including a clamping mechanism and a knife member. The knife member is reciprocated into and out of abutment with the paper-supporting table by means of an eccentric arm and a connecting rod. The eccentric arm is rotated by means of a hydraulic actuator, the actuator being reversible such that it runs in opposite directions depending upon whether the knife is being raised from the table or lowered into abutment therewith. Suitable safety stops are provided for limiting the movement of the eccentric member in the event of failure of one of the controls therefor. The arm is positioned overcenter when the knife is in its raised position.

United States Patent 1 Inventors Dan 3,410,166 11/1968 Thumim 83/380 J hn J- Si Grand H Mich- 3,452,630 7/1969 Malm 83/380 [21] App 736,808 1,035,093 8/1912 Kraut 83/525 F d June 13, 1968 2,459,902 1/1949 Tucker 83/639UX [45] Patented May 25, 1971 [73] Assignee The Challenge Machinery Company pmfmry Exam".1er Andrew Juhasz Grand Haven Mich. Assistant Examiner-Leon Gllden Attorney-Price, Heneveld, Hulzenga and Cooper [54] CU'I'I'ER 14 Claims, 11 Drawing ABSTRACT; A cutter adapted part cularly for cutting paper stock including a clamping mechanism and a kmfe member. [52] 83/380 The knife member is reciprocated into and out of abutment 83/524 83/ 5 83/643 with the paper-supporting table by means of an eccentric arm [5 1] Int. Cl. B2611 5/42, and a connecting rod The eccentric arm is rotated by means 326d 5/ 16 of a hydraulic actuator, the actuator being reversible such that [50] Field of Search 83/380, it runs in opposite directions depending upon whether the 642, 5301 639 (cursory) knife is being raised from the table or lowered into abutment therewith. Suitable safety stops are provided for limiting the [56] References cued movement of the eccentric member in the event of failure of UNrrED STATES PATENTS one of the controls therefor. The arm is positioned overcenter 1,051,381 1] i913 Berry 83/639 when the knife is in its raised position.

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This invention relates to a cutter mechanism and, more particularly, to guillotine types of cutters particularly adapted to cut paper stock and the like.

It is often desirable in printing and other paper-processing concerns to cut stacks of paper stock, card stock or the like into multiple stacks of smaller size stock. This cutting process is accomplished, ordinarily, in a guillotine type of cutter which includes a clamp mechanism adapted to abut the stack of paper and hold it during the reciprocating stroke of the knife.

In conventional cutters of the type described, the clamping mechanism is powered usually by a hydraulic cylinder. The paper cutting knife is powered, conventionally, by either a hydraulic cylinder ram or an electric motor operating in conjunction with a rather complicated drive train including a clutch, flywheel, worm drive and the like. In the former case, the hydraulic cylinder is utilized to pull the knife toward the bed upon which the paper is positioned and, after the out has been completed, raise it to its starting position. In the latter case, the knife is usually connected to a rotating eccentric member by means of a connecting rod and the eccentric member rotated periodically to bring the knife into and out of engagement with the paperas desired.

The hydraulic cylinder type of knife drive and the electric motor-clutch type of knife drive have both been rather widely accepted in the industry. This acceptance has come despite the fact that each of these modes of driving the knife suffers from a number of marked disadvantages. That area of the paper supporting table beneath the knife, for example, is usually occupied by a so-called stick which is replaceable and against which the knife abuts during its downward stroke. If a hydraulic cylinder ram type of knife drive is being utilized, it is extremely difficult to stop the downward thrust of the knife prior to its cutting into the stick. This is particularly true in light of the fact that the cutter should be able to cut both thick and thin stacks of paper without major readjustment. The effect of the inertia of the knife varies, of course, when different size stacks are cut and, thus, it is virtually impossible to adjust the mechanism to operate properly in both types of cutting situations.

The primary disadvantage of the motor-clutch type of driving arrangement, perhaps, is the rather high expense incurred .in procurring and maintaining the required equipment. There is, of course, little if any problem with controlling the depth of the knife cut since the knife starts upwardly immediately upon completing its downward cycle because of the eccentric member to which it is connected. It remains difflcult, however, to positively assure that the knife will come down only when it is desired to do so by the operator. This is caused, primarily, by the inability to provide proper stops on the eccentric mechanism since it must be capable of rotation through a 360 arc.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a cutter mechanism which is not subject to the disadvantages outlined above.

It is an object of this invention, more particularly, to provide a cutter mechanism wherein the knife drive may be adjusted so as to positively control the depth of the cut and, thus, wherein the necessity of constantly replacing the stick is eliminated.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cutter mechanism of the type described wherein the knife drive may be composed of a relatively limited number of components and, thus, wherein procurement and maintenance expenses are minimized.

It is an object of this invention, thus, to provide a cutter mechanism of the type described wherein the knife activating mechanism utilizes a power source already available in most cutters and, thus, wherein separate motors, clutches, flywheels and the like need not be provided.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cutter mechanism of the type described wherein the movement of the knife may be positively controlled by the operator and, thus, wherein any chance of accident or the like is minimized.

2 It is an object of the broader aspects of this invention to provide a cutter mechanism of the'type described embodying a hydraulic circuit and electrical control therefor operative to actuate both the clamp and knife in predetermined sequence.

The circuits and controls, additionally, may be utilized to effect other than automatic operations by slight adjustment of suitable switches, foot pedals or the like to permit adjustment of the knife, slow clamping of the stock and similar operations.

These as well as other objects of this invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the following specification and accompanying FIGS. in which:

FIG. 1 is a front-elevational view of the novel apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the rear table portion of the apparatus illustrating specifically the clamping mechanism;

- FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the hydraulic circuitry;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the clamp and drive apparatus therefor;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit suitable for use in conjunction with the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of one of the knife position sensing mechanisms;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the other of the knife position sensing mechanisms;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the clamp position sensing mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the treadle position sensing mechanism; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, front-elevational view of the overcenter stop mechanism.

This invention comprises, briefly, a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of proximity to a support table upon which the goods to be cutare positioned. A connecting means connects the blade to a rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when the members are rotated the blade will be moved. Means are provided for rotating the member in one direction to raise the blade and in the opposite direction to lower the blade. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotating means comprises a reversible hydraulic actuator.

Referring now to the FIGS., a preferred embodiment of this invention will be described in detail. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the apparatus as including a frame assembly 10 having floorabutting pads 11 and a series of uprights 12. Upon the uprights is supported in generally horizontal fashion a paper supporting table 13. An overhead arm 14 is supported above the table 13 by upwardly extending supports 16. The paper stick 17 (see FIG. 2) is positioned directly beneath the blade to be discussed hereinafter in conventional fashion.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 3, the table 13 is provided with conventional side plates 18 and a backstop 19. The backstop, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, is adjustable to provide a reference for the making of a particular cut. The particular position of the backstop, conveniently, may be displayed at the front of the apparatus by means of a movable indicator tape.

The knife assembly is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 and comprises a knife carriage 21 supported from overhead arm 14 by means of a pair of pivotable hinge members 22. The hinges 22 are pivoted to the overhead arm 14 and the knife carriage 21 as indicated at 23 in such a manner that the knife can drop into abutment with the stick 17 in a downward and sideways direction. The relative lengths and positions of the hinges 22 will depend, of course, upon the particular type of cutting action desired. They can be designed in such a manner that the knife blade stays parallel to the overhead arm 14 or, as shown, such that one extremity of the knife blade lies slightly below the other extremity thereof during the cutting operation, the two extremities reaching the same level upon contact with the stick.

Extending from the left-hand side (as shown in FIG. I) of the knife carriage 21 is an ear 24. Connected between ear 24 and a suitable bracket 27 on the frame of the machine is a telescopic shaft 25. Shaft 25 has a compression spring 26 positioned thereover and this spring functions to bias the knife assembly in its raised position during utilization of the apparatus. Theknife 28 is locked to the carriage 21 by suitable mounting screws 29: Conventional adjustment screws (not shown) are provided for making elevational adjustments of the knife with respect to the carriage to compensate for minor tolerance discrepancies in the drive assembly.

The knife drive assembly 30, shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, comprises a hydraulic rotary actuator 31 having a shaft 32 extending from the forward and. rearward extremities thereof. The actuator is carried by a suitable bearing structure 33 and has affixed to the forward shaft extremity thereof an eccentric arm 34. Bearing structure 33 may include, if desirable, a gear reduction mechanism.

Pivotably afiixed to eccentric member 34 at 37 is a connecting rod 35. The opposite extremity of connecting rod 35 is pivotably affixed to the knife carriage 21 as indicated at 36.

From an examination of FIG. 1, it will be apparent that as the eccentric member 34 is rotated by the hydraulic actuator 31, the knife will be pulled downwardly into abutment with the stick 17. When the direction of rotation of the hydraulic actuator 31 is reversed, similarly, the knife will be raised back upwardly to its initial starting position. By making the eccentric member 34 and connecting rod 35 of suitable length and by compensating for minor tolerance discrepancies with the knife adjust screws noted previously, cutting of the stick 17 by the knife 28 can be completely eliminated since the knife will start upwardly as soon as the eccentric member has passed center position. The components should be sized and ad justed, thus, such that the knife 28 comes into slight contact with the stick when the eccentric member 34 is displaced 180 from the position shown in FIG. 1. i

The particular actuator utilized in a specific embodiment of this invention will depend, of course, on torque requirements and available pressure in the particular cutting environment. One line of actuators suitable for incorporation into this apparatus is available under the trade name HOUDAILLE HYD-RO-AC.

The clamp assembly, identified generally by the reference numeral 50, is shown best in FIGS. 3 and 5. It comprises a carriage 51 having a clamping surface 52 at the lower extremity thereof. The carriage 51 has a rack 53 depending from each side thereof and the racks 53 are slidably joumaled in suitable fashion within the framework of the apparatus behind the knife carriage 21. A shaft 54 is rotatably borne within framework 10 at each of its extremities as indicated at 55. Keyed to the shaft 54 are pinion gears 56 which mesh with the racks 53. Connected to one of the racks 53 is the connecting rod 57 from a suitable hydraulic cylinder 58. When hydraulic cylinder 58 is activated, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the rack is pulled downwardly or pushed up' wardly and the pinion gear and shaft arrangement insure that the force will be applied equally to each side of the clamping assembly. Clamping structures of the type shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 are well known in the art and, thus, it is not deemed necessary to discuss it in great detail in this specification.

The clamp assembly 50' is utilized to hold the stock in a predetermined position during a particular cutting sequence. In order to accomplish this function, the cylinder 58 is actuated in such fashion as to bring the clamping surface 52 into abutment with the stock which, effectively, squeezes the stock between the table 13 and the surface 52.

In accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of this invention, when the clamping pressure has reached a predetermined point, the hydraulic pressure is diverted automatically to the hydraulic actuator to bring the knife into slicing or cutting relationship with the stock. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 4, the hydraulic system 60 comprises a filter 61 positioned within a suitable reservoir indicated schematically by the reference numeral 59. The filter 61 is connected to a pump 62 driven by motor 63. The system is provided with a relief valve 64 and a series of suitable shutoff valves 65 and pressure gauges 66. A double solenoid fourway valve 67 interconnects pump 62 and the clamping cylinder 58. The valve is operated by solenoids 68 and 69. The energization of solenoid 68 routes hydraulic pressure to clamping cylinder 58in such a direction as to raise the clamp ing assembly 50 from the stock. The energization of solenoid 69 routes hydraulic pressure to the clamping cylinder 58 in such a direction as to lower the clamp onto the stock.

The pump 62 and the hydraulic actuator 31 are interconnected by a similar'double solenoid four-way valve 70. Valve 70 is actuated by solenoids 71 and 72. The energization of solenoids 71 routes hydraulic pressure to actuator 31 in such a direction as to cause the knife to raise while the energiz ation of solenoid 72 routes hydraulic pressure to the actuator 31 in such a direction as to cause the knife to lower.

The hydraulic circuit is completed by means of a pressure reducing valve 73 between pump.62 and valve 67; a sequence valve 74 between valve 70 and actuator 31 on the knife-down side of the line; a pressure surge relief valve 75 across the actuator 31; and, a pilot operated check valve 76 across clamping cylinder 58.

Sequence valve 74 is adjusted such that it opens when the pressure within the system has built up above that required for proper actuation of clamping cylinder 58. Thus, for example,

if solenoids 69 and 72 are both actuated, clamping cylinder 58 will be actuated initially to lower the clamp into contact with the stock. When the clamp is pressing on the stock with the predetermined pressure of sequence valve 74, the sequence valve will open and route the hydraulic fluid to the actuator 31 to bring the knife down on its cutting stroke. The pressure reducing valve 73, of course, limits the maximum pressure exerted upon clamping cylinder 58 in order to avoid any problem of seal failure due to the pressures at the actuator 31.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit suita ble for use in controlling the hydraulic circuit shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 7 through 10 illustrate the position and mode of actuation of the four limit switches included in the electrical schematic. There is provided, additionally, a start button 81 and a stop button 82 for activation of the motor 63; a pair of cutting sequence initiating buttons 83a and 83b; and a knife adjust switch 84. The start and stop buttons, 81 and 82, may be located at any convenient place on the apparatus. The sequence buttons 83:; and 83b are located, preferably, at the forward edge of paper supporting table 13 and spaced sufficiently to require the operator to have both hands upon them when the apparatus is actuated. The knife adjust switch 84 may be located at any convenient position. I

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the knife up and knife down limit switches 85 and 88, respectively. The knife up switch 85 is actuated by a cam 86 suitably affixed for rotation with shaft 32 of rotary actuator 31. The arrow 87 indicates the knife up direction of rotation of shaft 32. The limit switch 85 is positioned with respect to cam 86 such that it will be depressed to contact when the knife is in its maximum upward position. Also positioned on shaft 32 is cam 89. This cam actuates the knife down" limit switch 88, the arrow indicating the direction of rotation during lowering of the knife. Limit switch 88 is positioned with respect to cam 89 such that it is depressed to contact when the knife assembly 20 is at its lowermost position in abutment with the stick 17.

FIG. 9 illustrates the clamp up limit switch 91. It is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 3 and actuated by a suitable probe 92 attached to clamp carriage 51. Limit switch 91 is positioned with respect to probe 92 such that it is depressed to contact when the clamp assembly 50 is in its maximum upward position.

FIG. 10 illustrates the slow clamp limit switch 93. Its contact is actuated by depression of foot treadle 94 (see FIG. 2).- Limit switch 93 is positioned with respect to the treadle 94 such that it will be depressed to contact whenever foot pressure is applied to the treadle 94. Some type of spring biasing means or the like (not shown) must be provided, of course, for

maintaining the foot treadle 94 in noncontacting position with respect to limit switch 93.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 6, the apparatus is activated by depressing start button 81. This causes energization of the motor 63 and, additionally, latches relay 63 into the on position. Motor 63 may be deactivated thereafter only by the momentary depression of stop button 82 or, of course, an overload of the overload relays 95.

After the operator has positioned the pile of stock to be cut within the apparatus at the proper position, he places one hand on each of the sequence buttons 83a and 83b and depresses them. The relay 96 and its associated contacts have been previously energized by the depression of start button 81 and the coil thereof will remain in latch on condition because of the normally open contact in series therewith. Depression of the sequencing buttons 83a and 83b energizes solenoids 69 and 72 of valves 67 and 70. Valve 67 supplies hydraulic pressure to the clamp cylinder 58 causingit to come into abutment with the stock. As the clamp starts its downward progress, limit switch 91 is switched to normally closed position.

As clamping assembly 50 comes into abutment with the stock, the pressure within the hydraulic system builds up sufficiently to open sequence valve 74 and the hydraulic pressure is routed to actuator'31 in such a direction as to cause the knife assembly to begin its downward movement. Movement of knife assembly 20' away from its up" position switches limit switch 85 to normally closed position.

When the eccentric member 34 reaches the bottom of a cycle (approximately 180) limit switch-88 is opened causing deenergization of relay coil 96 and the various contacts associated therewith. This results in a deenergization of solenoid 72 and the energization of solenoid 71. The energization of solenoid 71 reverses the flow of oil through actuator 31 and, thus, causes the knife to proceed upwardly. When the knife reaches its upward, at rest position, limit switch 85 is again moved to the position shown in the schematic in FIG. 6 and solenoid 71 is deenergized. The tripping of limit switch 85 functions, additionally, to supply power to solenoid 68 and the clamping assembly 50 is raised until it trips limit switch 91, thus completing the cycle.

Should it become desirable to lower. the clamp at low pressure, the foot pedal is depressed by the operator. This causes the contacts of limit switch 93 to change from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the normally open position and energizes solenoid 69 of valve 67. The pressure drop through solenoid valve 70 during this period is great enough to create a flow of oil to lower the clamp. When-the operators foot is removed from pedal 94, solenoid 68 is energized causing the clamp to return to its upward position. Solenoid 68 is deenergized, of course, by the tripping of limit switch 91.

By switching switch 84 to its open position, the knife may be jogged down to any desired position to permit, for example, access to the knife adjust screws 29 from the front of the ap paratus. As the knife and clamp start downwardly under the control of the depressed sequencing buttons 83, limit switches 85 and 91 move to their normally closed" positions thus energizing relay coil 97 and opening its associated contact in series with the clamp up solenoid 68. The knife up solenoid 71 is out of the circuit additionally, because-of the opening of switch 84. Under these conditions, once the clamp is downit stays down until switch 84 is returned to its normal run" position. The knife stops if jogged until the knife reaches the bottom of the stroke. When switch 84 is returned to its original run position, both the knife and the clamp return to their upward position ready for operation.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1], limit switches 85 and 88 are positioned relative to their operating cams, 86 and 89 respectively, in such a manner that the actuator 31 will'cause the eccentric arm 34 to rotate slightly over center with respect to connecting rod 35 when the knife is raised to its upward position. in such a position, the eccentric member 34 approaches abutment in togglelike fashion with stop 42 on stop assembly 40. if, for any reason such as a failure of a valve, seal or the like, the knife is released by the actuator 31, eccentric 34 will merely fall into abutment with stop 42 and the knife will remain in suspended position. The possibilities of the knife falling accidentally, therefore, are virtually nonexistent. The only manner in which the knife can be freed for downward movement is by rotating eccentric member 34 by means of hydraulic actuator 31 past the overcenter position and such actuation occurs, of course, only when sequencing buttons 83'have been depressed by the operator. The instant apparatus insures, thus, that the knife will not fall toward the table at an unexpected moment.

Lower stop 43 comes into abutment with the eccentric member 34 in the event of a failure of a valve, seal, switch or the like at the completion of the downward stroke of the knife. Contact is not made until member 34 has completed its downward stroke and moved slightly over center to begin raising of the knife. The presence of the lower stop 43 insures, thus, that the actuator will not rotate the knife through appreciably more than a 180 arc and that the operator will not inadvertently place his hands beneath the knife when it is about to be brought into contact with the support table by actuator 31. Stop 43 can be adjusted, if desired, to a point coinciding with the center of eccentric member 34 and connecting rod 35 without detrimentally-affecting operation of the apparatus. Stop 42, of course, should be maintained in an overcenter position and the limit switch arranged to be activated only when this position has been reached.

The parameters for the hydraulic and electrical circuits and .the torque characteristics ofthe particular hydraulic actuator utilized will depend, of course, on the particular environment in which the cutter is to operate. These parameters may be worked out with ease by those skilled in the art and, thus, will not be elaborated upon in detail in this specification. By suitable matching of the parameters of the pressure reducing valve 73 and the sequencing valve 74, the system will complete the clamping-pressure prior to diversion of the pressure to the actuator 31 and, thus, initiation of the cutting stroke. Each of these operations are performed under the motivation of hydraulic pressure from an identical source and, thus, the pump 62 and itsassociated hydraulic system are utilized constantly throughout the cutting cycle.

The hydraulic actuator, in the preferred embodiment of this invention, has been illustrated as-running in a first direction to bring the knife toward the table and in a second direction to withdraw the knife from the table. it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that other operational schemes can be utilized by proper designv of the hydraulic and electrical circuits. lt might'be desirable, for example, to rotate the actuator in a first direction through an angle sufficient to bring the knife into'and withdraw it from cutting relationship with the paper on the table. During the subsequent cycle, in this mode of operation, the actuator would rotate in the'opposite direction to again bring the knife into and withdraw it from cutting relation with the paper on the table. The

propriety of such anactuation scheme willdepend, of course, on the particular operation environment.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated in detail, it will'be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may be conceived and fabricated without departing from'the spirit of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Such other embodiments are to be deemed as included within the scope of the following claims unless these claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

We claim:

1. in a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted-for movement into and out of paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be out are positioned, the improvement comprising:

a rotatable eccentric member rotatable about a first axis;

connecting means connecting said'blad'e to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; said connecting means including pivotal connections between said connecting means and said eccentric member and said blade about two separate spaced axes parallel to said first axis; and

means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where the spaced axes of said pivotal connections and the first axis of said eccentric member are all aligned on a line so as to be centered with respect to said connecting means, whereupon further rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move out of abutment with said table section.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises a reversible rotary hydraulic actuator means.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 which further comprises a hydraulic clamping means for clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with respect to said table prior to contact therewith by said blade, and means responsive to the hydraulic pressure at said clamping means for enabling said actuator means only after the pressure at said clamping means has reached a predetermined point.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said enabling means includes sequencing valve means operative to automatically enable said actuator means.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a clamping means for clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with respect to said table and control means for sequentially moving said clamping means into clamping relationship with said goods; rotating said member to move said blade into abutmentwith said table section to cut said goods; rotating said member in the opposite direction to withdraw said blade from proximity with said table; and, raising said clamping means out of clamping relationship with said goods.

6. In an apparatus particularly adapted for cutting stacks of paper stock having a blade mounted for movement into and out of abutment with a support table upon which the stock to be cut is positioned; a rotatable member for so moving said blade and having a hydraulically actuated clamping means for clamping the stock in fixed relationship with respect to the.

table prior to blade contact therewith, the improvement comprising a reversible rotary hydraulic actuator connected to said member for rotating the same whereby the source of hydraulic pressure utilized for said clamping means can be utilized also to actuate said blade, said actuator being rotatable in one direction to bring said blade into abutment with said table and in the opposite direction to move said blade out of abutment with said table; and stop means for limiting the arc of movement of said member.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 which further comprises means responsive to the hydraulic pressure at said clamping means for enabling said actuator only after the pressure at said clamping means has reached a predetermined point.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said enabling means includes sequencing valve means operative to automatically enable said actuator means.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said member is connected to said blade by a connecting rod, said rod being mounted eccentrically with respect to said member.

10. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of proximity to a support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned and a connecting means connecting said blade to a rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved, the improvement comprising: means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; and stop means for limiting the movement of said member in said one direction, said stop means being positioned so as to contact said member after it has rotated to an overcenter position with respect to said connecting means whereby the weight of said blade will rest against said stop means when said member comes into contact therewith. 11. A cutting apparatus comprising a blade mounted for movement into and out of proximity to a support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned; a connecting means connecting said blade to a rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; means for rotating said member in one direction to 1 raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; clamping means for clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with respect to said table; control means for sequentially moving said clamping means into clamping relationship with said goods, rotating said member to move said blade into proximity with said table to cut said goods, rotating said member in the opposite direction to withdraw said blade from proximity with said table, and, raising said clamping means out of clamping relationship with said goods; and means for overriding said control means to permit jogging said blade into intermediate positions with respect to said table to permit adjustment and replacement thereof.

12. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned, the improvement comprising:

a rotatable eccentric member;

connecting means connecting said blade to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; and

means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where it is centered with respect to said connecting means, whereby, upon further rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move-out of abutment with said table section; and stop means for limiting the movement of said member in said one direction, said stop means being positioned so as to contact said member after it has rotated to an overcenter position with respect to said connecting means whereby the weight of said blade will rest against said stop means when said member comes into contact therewith.

13. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of 'paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned, the improvement comprising:

a rotatable eccentric member;

connecting means connecting said blade to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; and

means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where it is centered with respect to said connecting means, whereby, upon further rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move out of abutment with said table section; and means for sensing when said blade has 'moved into abutment with said table section and means for reversing said rotating means in response to a predetermined signal from said sensing means.

14. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned, the improvement comprising:

a rotatable eccentric member;

connecting means connecting said blade to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; and

means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting' abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where it is centered with respect to said connecting means, whereby upon further-rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move out of abutment with said table section; a clamping means for clamping means for Y clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 56g CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,580,123 Dated May 25, 1971 lnvent fls) Dan P. Westra Fr Johh J. Siewert It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 7, line 38;

blade from proximity" should be blade from abutment Signed and sealed this 9th day of November 1 971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FI.ETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer ROBERT GOTTSGHALK Acting Commissioner of Patents 

1. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned, the improvement comprising: a rotatable eccentric member rotatable about a first axis; connecting means connecting said blade to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; said connecting means including pivotal connections between said connecting means and said eccentric member and said blade about two separate spaced axes parallel to said first axis; and means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where the spaced axes of said pivotal connections and the first axis of said eccentric member are all aligned on a line so as to be centered with respect to said connecting means, whereupon further rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move out of abutment with said table section.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises a reversible rotary hydraulic actuator means.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 which further comprises a hydraulic clamping means for clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with respect to said table prior to contact therewith by said blade, and means responsive to the hydraulic pressure at said clamping means for enabling said actuator means only after the pressure at said clamping means has reached a predetermined point.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said enabling means includes sequencing valve means operative to automatically enable said actuator means.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a clamping means for clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with respect to said table and control means for sequentially moving said clamping means into clamping relationship with said goods; rotating said member to move said blade into abutment with said table section to cut said goods; rotating said member in the opposite direction to withdraw said blade from proximity with said table; and, raising said clamping means out of clamping relationship with said goods.
 6. In an apparatus particularly adapted for cutting stacks of paper stock having a blade mounted for movement into and out of abutment with a support table upon which the stock to be cut is positioned; a rotatable member for so moving said blade and having a hydraulically actuated clamping means for clamping the stock in fixed relationship with respect to the table prior to blade contact therewith, the improvement comprising a reversible rotary hydraulic actuator connected to said member for rotating the same whereby the source of hydraulic pressure utilized for said clamping means can be utilized also to actuate said blade, said actuator being rotatable in one direction to bring said blade into abutment with said table and in the opposite direction to move said blade out of abutment with said table; and stop means for limiting the arc of movement of said member.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 which further comprises means responsive to the hydraulic pressure at said clamping means for enabling said actuator only after the pressure at said clamping means has reached a predetermined point.
 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said enabling means includes sequencing valve means operative to automatically enable said actuator means.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said member is connected to said blade by a connecting rod, said rod being mounted eccentrically with respect to said member.
 10. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of proximity to a support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned and a connecting means connecting said blade to a rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved, the improvement comprising: means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; and stop means for limiting the movement of said member in said one direction, said stop means being positioned so as to contact said member after it has rotated to an overcenter position with respect to said connecting means whereby the weight of said blade will rest against said stop means when said member comes into contact therewith.
 11. A cutting apparatus comprising a blade mounted for movement into and out of proximity to a support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned; a connecting means connecting said blade to a rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; clamping means for clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with respect to said table; control means for sequentially moving said clamping means into clamping relationship with said goods, rotating said member to move said blade into proximity with said table to cut said goods, rotating said member in the opposite direction to withdraw said blade from proximity with said table, and, raising said clamping means out of clamping relationship with said goods; and means for overriding said control means to permit jogging said blade into intermediate positions with respect to said table to permit adjustment and replacement thereof.
 12. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned, the improvement comprising: a rotatable eccentric member; connecting means connecting said blade to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; and means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where it is centered with respect to said connecting means, whereby, upon further rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move out of abutment with said table section; and stop means for limiting the movement of said member in said one direction, said stop means being positioned so as to contact said member after it has rotated to an overcenter position with respect to said connecting means whereby the weight of said blade will rest against said stop means when said member comes into contact therewith.
 13. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned, the improvement comprising: a rotatable eccentric member; connecting means connecting said blade to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; and means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where it is centered with respect to said connecting means, whereby, upon further rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move out of abutment with said table section; and means for sensing when said blade has moved into abutment with said table section and means for reversing said rotating means in response to a predetermined signal from said sensing means.
 14. In a cutting apparatus having a blade mounted for movement into and out of paper cutting abutment with a section of the support table upon which the goods to be cut are positioned, the improvement comprising: a rotatable eccentric member; connecting means connecting said blade to said rotatable member in eccentric fashion whereby when said member is rotated said blade will be moved; and means for rotating said member in one direction to raise said blade and in the opposite direction to lower said blade; said member and connecting means being connected and sized such that said knife will be in paper cutting abutment with said table section when said member has been rotated to a position where it is centered with respect to said connecting means, whereby upon further rotation of said member in said opposite direction said blade will move out of abutment with said table section; a clamping means for clamping means for clamping the goods to be cut in fixed relationship with respect to said table; control means for sequentially moving said clamping means into clamping relationship with said goods, rotating said member to move said blade into abutment with said table section to cut said goods, rotating said member in the opposite direction to withdRaw said blade from abutment with said table section, and raising said clamping means out of clamping relationship with said goods; and means for overriding said control means to permit jogging said blade into intermediate positions with respect to said table to permit adjustment and replacement thereof. 